Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

Name: Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 1 (32 oz) pkg Frozen Corn Kernels ((or 5 cups fresh)); 1 sm Onion, (diced); 4 Potatoes, (peeled and cubed); 2 med Carrots, (diced); 3 Tbsp Butter; 3 cloves Garlic, (minced (or 2 tsp garlic powder)); 1 Bay Leaf; 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme Leaves ((or 2 sprigs fresh)); 1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt ((or 1 tsp table salt)); 3/4 tsp Pepper; 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 (15 oz) can Creamed Corn; 4 cups Chicken Stock, (low sodium); 5 Tbsp Flour; 1 cup Half and Half; 1 lb Bacon, (cooked and chopped (optional)); 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, (chopped); 2 Tbsp Parsley, (fresh, chopped (or dried))